What can the magic sum be? Can it be any number? Class 7

What can the magic sum be? Can it be any number? Class 7

Question 1.

What can the magic sum be? Can it be any number? Class 7

Solution:

For a 3 × 3 magic square, the magic sum must be [latex]\frac {1}{3}[/latex] of the sum of all 9 consecutive 3 numbers filling the boxes. No.

Question 2.

What are the possible numbers that could occur at the centre of a magic square? Class 7

Solution:

For a 3 × 3 magic square, it will be [latex]\frac {1}{3}[/latex] of the magic sum. That is, for a 3 × 3 magic square of numbers 1 to 9, it will be [latex]\frac {15}{3}[/latex] = 5.

Question 3.

Using such reasoning, find out which other numbers 1-9 cannot occur at the centre. Class 7

Solution:

No number other than 5 can occur at the centre.